Third Year of War! NATIONAL RESISTANCE. Why Has Citizen Preparedness for Resistance Not Been Implemented? Yuriy Zozulya.

The third year of war continues. Why is there no large-scale training of citizens for military resistance? Why is there no free circulation of weapons? Why are voluntary formations of territorial defense being disbanded?  

Could it be that the authorities fear their own people more than the occupiers?

National resistance is about preparing the population for resistance and survival under occupation. Only in the fall of 2024 did the occupiers capture new cities like Vuhledar and continue advancing towards Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, Selydove, Kurakhove, and other directions. Is national resistance active in these cities? How is the local population resisting? 

Why are the first to flee the reserved officials, prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers, instead of helping the Armed Forces? Why is the Ukrainian law from 2021, "On the Fundamentals of National Resistance" not being implemented?

All the mistakes of the authorities were felt during the defense of Kyiv in 2022. At that time, we organized resistance on our own initiative, which could serve as a useful example for organizing national resistance in the country.

Since 2003, “X-park” has been developed near a strategic highway and the Northern Bridge. With the onset of the full-scale invasion, the “X-park” team, like all Ukrainians, realized that the state had not prepared civil society for resistance. This criminal inaction led to hundreds of thousands of civilian casualties, as seen in Mariupol, Bucha, Borodianka, and other cities, as well as rapid territorial losses. However, as the founder of “X-park” and a reserve officer, I, along with the management of the enterprise, self-organized the national resistance of our employees and the community, experiencing firsthand all the state’s problems and the authorities' mistakes regarding preparation to resist the enemy.

1. The authorities did not warn about the invasion; on the contrary, they reassured the public. The infamous remarks about "shashliks" and "don't panic" should be seen as criminal irresponsibility. The first explosions in Kyiv were a shock, and for several days, no one knew what to do next. Evacuation began, and instead of preparing to resist, people started evacuating their children, wives, and families.

The first days of the war. 24.02.2022. Zozulya Yuriy.

What is needed: The authorities were aware of the potential attack and should have warned in advance so that businesses and citizens could begin evacuation preparations. This includes securing communication means, body armor, fuel, canned goods, vehicles, medical supplies, weapons, warm clothing, thermal imaging devices, and ingredients for Molotov cocktails.

2. Chaos and Lack of Coordination  

The second major problem was the complete lack of coordination. No matter where we turned—be it the police or city leadership—nobody knew what to do or where to go. The military enlistment office simply collected contact numbers and promised to call back. The authorities nearly abandoned the population to their fate. Later, we learned that most of the government had fled to Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, and Lviv. The head of the Security Service, Mr. Bakanov, disappeared; his deputy, Mr. Naimov, escaped with significant funds to Slovakia, while prosecutors stormed the border in Zakarpattia with bags full of money. The State Bureau of Investigation, with its leadership in Khmelnytskyi, was burning documents in Kharkiv. Most deputies and ministers went dark. We realized that it was primarily residents, territorial defense units, the Armed Forces, and some state officials who remained to repel the advance in Kyiv.

To not waste our time waiting for coordination from the authorities, we self-organized by creating a unit of security personnel and park employees. We began to establish fortifications and patrols at our discretion. I remember when I was walking with weapons through the area, as dozens of men ran up to us asking “what to do and where they could get weapons”. Many of them wanted to join our unit, but we didn’t even know what to do by ourselves. Eventually, we developed a patrol plan, set up posts, prepared Molotov cocktails, and taught others how to use weapons. We joined the territorial defense and began forming our own drone unit.

War in Ukraine. Part 2. Zozulya Y.

What is needed: A clear mobilization plan for every man, outlined minute by minute: where to report, which unit to join, where to obtain weapons (preferably ensuring they are always accessible), and what positions to occupy. Prior to this, there needs to be work on the coordination of units. The issue is that even in the third year of the war, this has not been done. The National Resistance project must address this issue urgently.

3. Weapons and Ammunition 

Initially, I distributed my personal hunting weapons—two shotguns. However, there weren’t enough cartridges, so I obtained the primary weapons—19 AKMs with a limited supply of ammunition—through the city council. I armed almost all employees, and we conducted training directly on the territory of “X-park” and at the checkpoints. When the enemy retreated from Kyiv, all the weapons were confiscated by the Security Service, leaving us disarmed once again. But the threat has not passed, and the war continues. 

Who is blocking the gun law? I believe it’s a traitor and enemy of the Ukrainian people, and we need to know who this is—specific position and surname. They have votes for cannabis, but not for a basic law on weapons for the defense and resistance of Ukrainians. We urgently need to take action, whether it’s like in Israel—receiving weapons from the state at 16 and returning them at 70—or like in the USA—allowing open carry of weapons. At the very least, we should know where our automatic rifles are in the territorial defense units to retrieve them quickly.

4. Fortifications and Drone Base 

Due to a lack of coordination, we dug the fortifications on our own, using our tractor and deciding for ourselves where the enemy might advance from. Later, the Armed Forces and Territorial Defense joined us, but without coordination, they accidentally severed our power supply cable, leaving the “X-park” fortifications without electricity and communication. Simultaneously, we established a drone base for reconnaissance and documenting the crimes of the invaders. 

The worst part is that six months after the enemy's withdrawal, without any consultation, municipal services buried all the trenches, destroyed the bunkers, and dismantled the checkpoints. Do they think the war is over? Furthermore, when we submitted amendments to the “X-park” project to include fortifications, our proposals were rejected and removed from the project. In my opinion, this war will last for several generations, and it cannot be stopped quickly.

We should have worked on the fortifications together with the Armed Forces, pouring concrete into the bunkers instead of just filling them with sandbags, and designed and equipped the fortifications for the community’s benefit, allowing children to play while we conducted training for the national resistance members. This way, if there’s another advance on Kyiv, we could quickly occupy our positions. I can only imagine that if Kyiv becomes a frontline city again, we’ll have to start digging and making anti-tank obstacles all over again—that's a nightmare.

5. Counter-Subversive Operations  

It is crucial to train the population to conduct counter-subversive operations, identifying “saboteurs” and collaborators. In the early days of the war, we spotted a location for a helicopter landing and observed signs indicating movement toward the government quarter. If there had been a trap set by saboteurs, I wouldn’t be writing this now. We also caught several “saboteurs” with a stash of tracking phones that they were placing near key locations and photographing. Interestingly, all of them were displaced persons from Donbas. It is essential to train residents in counter-sabotage methods, behavioral analysis, interrogation techniques, and even the use of lie detectors (polygraphs).

6. Training  

First and foremost, there needs to be a focus on tactical medical training, explosives handling, and communication methods. It would also be beneficial to introduce mandatory drone operation training—covering reconnaissance, bombing, and FPV drones—into the national resistance courses.

7. Intelligence and Partisan Resistance  

One of my friend living in the village in Bohdanivka reported that the russians took over a neighboring house in the war's first days. He witnessed a tank entering their yard and provided me with the exact coordinates. At that time, no one knew whom to notify about the target. I relayed this information to my contacts in the Security Service of Ukraine and the Armed Forces. My friend hid his family in a basement in case we launched an attack. However, the tank remained in the yard for three days without ever becoming a target.

What is needed: It's crucial to establish instant, secure communication for residents of occupied territories, enabling them to relay information about enemy troop movements and collaborators. This could take the form of a specialized messenger or app. Additionally, it’s essential to create caches of weapons and provisions to arm local residents for organizing partisan resistance and to help them survive under occupation.

8. Seizure of Property and Business Relations in Wartime. 

In the early months of the war, our fortified area “X-park” became a location for the relocation and dispersal of personnel from the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) and the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). After the tragic losses of personnel due to strikes on the barracks in Desna and the Yavoriv military range, the military urgently established a checkpoint at the entrance and prohibited civilians from visiting the park. They utilized all the park’s infrastructure— from heated pavilions and cafes to saunas and toilets. I, as the owner, was even denied access to the premises for several days.

We understand that war necessitates the seizure of property for victory, and we only requested to have the seizure documented and to receive compensation for utility services. To date, our debt for electricity amounts to 2 million, not counting the damage from the use of property and theft. The state has provided no compensation and has not canceled either taxes or rent, and has not even issued a certificate of force majeure, despite effectively seizing this asset, which we have not been able to use for half a year.

What is needed? It is essential to pre-determine which enterprises are vital for the city’s defense and to enter into agreements for the transfer of property or enterprises to the state, taking into account utility expenses, taxes, and force majeure circumstances. In the event of an offensive on Kyiv, the enterprise should be formally transferred to the AFU.

Conclusion.

In the third year of the war, we faced the same problems we encountered at the beginning. The government has not organized a structure for systematic resistance, and none of the eight issues we faced during the defense of Kyiv in the fall of 2022 have been resolved. Local bureaucrats and rear-line security forces, such as the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) and prosecutors, hinder the establishment of fortified areas and the preparation for national resistance, even in enterprises that have their own resources.

Despite the existence of the Ukrainian law "On the Foundations of National Resistance" we observe the destruction of volunteer formations, the disbandment of Territorial Defense Forces (TDF), the seizure of weapons, the blocking of the law on civilian gun ownership, and numerous bureaucratic obstacles and abuses by rear-line security personnel. The government seems to fear an armed and trained populace, and it is sabotaging the creation of national resistance. Everything we do is based on enthusiasm and personal funds, yet the state must act systematically by allocating budgets for this purpose.

The General Staff, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the TDF, the Special Operations Forces (SOF), the Ground Forces, and the Ministry of Defense must actively engage in creating a network of national resistance centers, as this would be a significant support.

With the experience gained from the resistance in Kyiv, we have established our "Muromets National Resistance." Recognizing the state's helplessness in the face of existential threats and the irresponsibility of the authorities, we have adopted our Ukrainian popular doctrine of national resistance: "The Bite of a Million Bees."

Only by uniting into structures with clear coordination and communication can a trained and armed populace stop the "Russian bear." A blockchain structure of national resistance centers should be established throughout Ukraine, making our country invincible. Not everyone needs to fight, but everyone should be ready to resist. National resistance must be a priority for several generations and should be widespread. The militarization of society should begin in kindergarten and continue until retirement.

Businesses should become such "hives," as each entrepreneur is a double patriot; unlike civil servants, businesspeople invest their money, resources, and talents into the enterprises of Ukraine. My personal motivation to create a training center is: "What good will ‘X-park’ and all my businesses be to me if there's a Russian presence here?"

After the enemy retreated from Kyiv and we regained control of X-park from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, we began building infrastructure for national resistance, focusing on military personnel, veterans, the wounded, civilians, youth, and children. This became possible not thanks to, but in spite of the government's actions. We have already implemented this project at our own expense, without a single penny of state funds.

In fact, an ideal model of a "hive" (cluster) has been created on the territory of X-park — the infrastructure of a national resistance system that can be replicated in other regions of Ukraine.

What We Have Created:

Directions Developed by MUROMETS NATIONAL RESISTANCE:

- Coordination and communication between units and training centers

- Basic General Military Training (BZVP)

- Moral and psychological training

- Physical training

- Tactical training

- Technical training

- Armament

- Tactical medicine

- Intelligence activities

- Informational and ideological resistance

- Military virtual games and weapon simulators

- Military field games and applied sports

- Training for veterans and the wounded

- Support for the children of defenders and families of the fallen

The Structure of MUROMETS NATIONAL RESISTANCE Includes:

- Training Center MUROMETS 303 (drone training grounds)

- Innovative Rehabilitation Center "Base 4.5.0" — rehabilitation and leisure for veterans, the wounded, and families of the fallen.

- Fund for Innovative Defense Technologies "Free Generation" — equipment, support for the front, drones, F-16 simulators.

- Business Incubator "FreeGen: Veteran Priority" — a program for the wounded and veterans to acquire instructor skills or start a business.

- "X-park" — infrastructure, training classrooms, shelters, restrooms, dining facilities.

Our Top Priority: Coordination and Communication

At the beginning of the war, this was the main problem.

Coordination and Communication:

- We established close interaction with units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Territorial Defense (TRO), Special Operations Forces (SSO), and Airborne Brigades, especially with the Omega special unit, which led to the mobilization of the X-park leader into the National Guard. We created a local situational center.

- Coordinated with the district administration.

- Connected and synchronized with other national resistance training centers in the district and city.

https://youtu.be/0PvIsezaF7E

Moral and Psychological Preparation

This direction includes:

- Military-Patriotic Education: Fostering love for the homeland and understanding the importance of defending one's native land.

- Stress Resilience: Teaching techniques to overcome stressful situations, including fears related to mobilization and weapons.

- Preventing Identity Changes: Counteracting the enemy's influence on children and youth, who are recruited through Telegram channels for reconnaissance and sabotage, especially those living in occupied territories.

- Engaging Educators: Reviving military traditions of the Cossacks and instilling core values.

Basic General Military Training

- Conducted according to the approved program.

Physical Training

Within this direction, the following activities are carried out:

- Combat Martial Arts: Developing self-defense skills.

- Obstacle Courses: Survival races, crossfit, endurance, and agility training.

- Knife Fighting: Teaching close combat techniques.

- Pre-conscription Skills: Preparing youth for military service.

Tactical Training

This direction includes:

• Study of Combat Strategy and Tactics: Learning about battles, attacks, maneuvers, ambushes, and how to utilize local heights and natural cover, as well as terrain orientation and fortification construction.

• Terrain Orientation and Topography: Understanding the landscape and navigation skills.

• Actions in Frontline Areas: Survival tactics in occupation scenarios.

Technical Training

This includes:

• Communication Skills: Training in using communication equipment, working with Starlink, telemetry, electronic warfare (EW), and drones.

• Exhibitions of New Weapons: Familiarization with new technologies.

• Testing, Trials, and Weapon Modernization: Engaging in military-applicable and innovative sports competitions, such as drone bombing, FPV racing, mining and demining, and aerial navigation.

Familiarization with Technologies

Introduction to tools like Kropyva, Delta, Tower, and Ochi.

Armament

This direction includes:

• Fire Training: Instruction on shooting with handguns, assault rifles, anti-tank weapons like Javelins, and mortars.

• Certification and Special Military Qualifications (VUS): For drone pilots and other military specialties.

• Laboratory Work: Testing, modernization, demonstrations, miltechmetap, UAVs, and drone canopies.

Захист від дронів камікадзе - Дронкупол - якій чекають українці - радіолокаційний антидрон

Tactical Medicine

This is a separate focus area that includes:

• Basic First Aid Training: Teaching the fundamentals of medical assistance.

• Involvement in Blood Donation: Engaging trainees in the donation movement to support the medical needs of the army.

Information and Ideological Resistance

Key tasks include:

• Countering Information Influences: Actively combating information-psychological operations (IPSO), bot farms, and misinformation on social media.

• Total Resistance: Training individuals to critically analyze information.

Intelligence Activities

This focus area emphasizes:

• Intelligence Gathering: Involving local residents in information collection in occupied territories, teaching topography, and information transmission channels.

• Partisan Activities: Utilizing the knowledge of local inhabitants to organize resistance efforts.

Military Virtual Games and Weapon Simulators

We utilize a variety of virtual command-and-staff games featuring different missions and levels of complexity. Our training incorporates:

• Multimedia Interactive Simulators: These include shooting weapon simulators, "Javelin", "Stinger" and drone simulators, as well as F-16 flight simulators.

• Tactical Medicine Simulators: Training rescuers in various scenarios using simulated environments.

• Youth Military Field Games: Engaging children and teenagers in quests using smartphones through the "Kozak Challenge" by FreeGen Go.

Next-Gen F-16 Simulator for Air Force Pilots: No State Funding Needed

Military-Applied Sports

We offer a range of military-applied sports, including:

• Airgun Shooting Range

• Paintball

• Obstacle Course

• Airsoft

• Laser Tag

• Diving

• Rope Park

• Aero-Modeling

• Water-Modeling Sports

• Sports Orienteering

Engagement of Veterans and the Injured in Training

We provide employment opportunities for veterans and the injured as instructors to pass on their experience to the youth. Within the Muromec National Resistance framework, we operate projects such as:

• IRP "Base 4.5.0"

• Avatar Center "Pandora"

• Maldives for the Injured

• Brother's Shoulder Events

• Unbreakable Resilience Celebrations

Children of Defenders and Families of the Fallen

In "X-Park," we run children’s military-patriotic camps and events for the children of service members and families of the fallen. One of the most popular formats is the "Drone Picnic," where the morning is dedicated to training, followed by a communal picnic for participants and their families in the afternoon, along with reunions for families and defenders.

“Серце Азовсталі” в Ікспарку

MILITARY MARKETING

Militarization of society should be attractive and vibrant, inspiring youth to aspire to be modern heroes, similar to characters like Rambo from Stallone, Commando from Schwarzenegger, or Top Gun with Tom Cruise. In the U.S., recruitment centers were set up right in theaters, leading to long lines after screenings.

Our Plans:

• Promote Ukrainian Heroes: Conduct advertising campaigns that encourage youth to enlist in the military.

• Attractive Branding: Develop appealing insignia and a modern gray-black military uniform with stylish patches, differentiating it from the standard uniforms of the Armed Forces and National Guard.

• Stylish Designs: Create designs for insignia on weapons, drones, vehicles, and other equipment, ensuring everything looks cool, trendy, and contemporary.

• Quality merchandise has been produced, ranging from stylish t-shirts that people want to wear every day to multifunctional winter gear.

Creation of a Public Drone Range

We have established a publicly accessible drone range, where modern weaponry is periodically showcased for familiarization, selfies, and promotional military-style photos. We encourage social media posts (Instagram, Facebook) to promote military culture and national resistance among youth. Events are organized in collaboration with military units.

Synchronization of National Resistance Centers

We actively communicate with neighboring national resistance centers, such as the "Population Training Center for National Resistance and Affirmation of Ukrainian Identity in the Desnyansky District of Kyiv" and the 31st Desnyansky District Defense Forces. For instance, we exchange resources and infrastructure. We have drone simulators and interactive training devices, and for firearms training, we utilize the ranges of neighboring centers. We also conduct instructor exchanges.

What We Are Developing

Training for Violent and Nonviolent Resistance

We are implementing training programs, certifying instructors and citizens, as well as developing paramilitary professions and sports. Those who have undergone pre-conscription training perform significantly better in military training compared to those who haven't. Our program includes:

• Mandatory basic military training.

• Periodic refresher training.

• Skills training for emergency responders: search and rescue, fire safety.

Training Formats

• Theoretical Part: Training is conducted in heated pavilions equipped with video panels and flip charts.

• Practical Part: Utilization of the "Muromec" drone range and off-site training grounds.

Muromec National Resistance trains employees, athletes, and students from nearby educational institutions upon request, depending on available funding. We believe that the government should support our initiative financially and organizationally to scale the center for greater community outreach.

Key Training Directions

• Reserved Personnel: Training for officials, civil servants, law enforcement, and private security personnel who will be prepared to respond in case of enemy advances toward the capital.

• Critical Infrastructure Workers: Training for everyone working in government institutions.

• Youth (18-24 years): Pre-conscription training.

• Women in Paramilitary Specialties.

• Educational Institutions: Collaboration with educational establishments.

• Open Courses for Everyone: Accessible training for all interested individuals.

Training System

We are developing a training system that includes:

• Basic 1-, 2-, and 3-day courses.

• 10-day courses modeled after Israel.

• Month-long courses based on the Swiss model.

• Refresher sessions: once a year, two weekends.

My Personal Opinion

The government is unable to create a comprehensive project for national resistance. Over the past three years, even with a fairly decent law on the "Features of National Resistance," systemic solutions have not been implemented. We observe sabotage and bureaucracy at the local level, lack of funding, and the disbandment of volunteer units, leading to the loss of hundreds of formations and disillusionment among millions of motivated citizens.

It is crucial for Ukrainians who remain in the country to unite. I am convinced that only private entrepreneurial training centers and volunteer organizations can more swiftly and effectively establish a network of National Resistance centers. This will be significantly cheaper for the state, and any corrupt actions by civil servants should be punished as war crimes.

Call to Action

We invite everyone who cares about Ukraine's future to unite resources, take the initiative, and create National Resistance centers. Together, we will actively reach out to government agencies with demands to establish new centers and expand the "Muromets National Resistance" center. Let’s make National Resistance a way of life for every Ukrainian!

Our Demands

The "Muromets National Resistance" training center was established without a single penny of state funding and currently trains a limited number of civilians.

• Expansion Potential: We have the capacity to significantly increase the number of trainees in our groups.

• Material Support Needs: We require simulators, drones, weapons, ammunition, and other equipment.

• Expansion of Functions and Training Directions: We plan to introduce new areas such as agent training and information-psychological operations (IPSO). For this, additional state or off-budget funding is necessary.

I believe that all the issues outlined in this document are common to all training centers (hives) for national resistance and should be addressed by the government without bureaucratic obstacles and delays. I hope that in the future, this will lead to a network of national resistance centers across Ukraine, where we can conduct field training sessions and share experiences.

Glory to Ukraine!

Yuriy Zozulya (businessman, philanthropist, public figure, founder and investor of Хpark, president Ukrainian Wake Federation UWF, officer)

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